Despite a good home debut start from Connelly Early<\/strong><\/a>, the Boston Red Sox<\/a> lose their series opener to the Athletics<\/a>, 2\u20131. Early’s wasted performance went 5 1\/3 innings, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out seven batters.<\/p>\n The Red Sox, despite notching three hits in the first two innings, left four men on base during that span. A two-out walk from Rob Refsnyder<\/a><\/strong> gave Carlos Narvaez<\/a><\/strong> a second chance with a runner on base. Narvaez smacked a double into left center, as a fielding error from Lawrence Butler<\/a><\/strong> helped Refsnyder score from first.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t until the fifth inning where the Athletics would find an answer. Boston starter Connelly Early exited the game after striking out Nick Kurtz<\/a><\/strong>. Greg Weissert<\/a><\/strong> was given the ball to help the Red Sox get out of it. After striking out Brent Rooker<\/a><\/strong>, Weissert grooved a 3\u20132 fastball to Tyler Soderstrom<\/a><\/strong>. Soderstrom slapped it out to left field for an RBI double, tying the game at 1\u20131.<\/p>\n Two batters later, after a Carlos Cortes<\/a><\/strong> pinch-hit walk, Brett Harris<\/a><\/strong> hit a single to left field, scoring Soderstrom and taking a 2\u20131 lead.<\/p>\n The Red Sox didn\u2019t put up much resistance in the next two go-arounds. The eighth inning saw a chance to tie it after Nick Sogard<\/a> <\/strong>walked with two outs. Alas, Sogard got picked off, taking the air out of Boston\u2019s sails. The ninth inning, despite a Ceddanne Rafaela<\/a><\/strong> base hit, saw Romy Gonzalez<\/a><\/strong> hit into a double play to end it.<\/p>\n The Red Sox was able to get men on base more often than in games past. They had one 1\u20132\u20133 inning through this contest<\/p>\n Trevor Story<\/a><\/strong> reached 30 stolen bases on the year, and hasn\u2019t been caught stealing yet. It is the longest consecutive stolen base streak to start a season in major league history.<\/p>\n Refsnyder must\u2019ve watched the movie Moneyball pre-game. Because what did he do? He got on base. Refsnyder went 3-for-4 with walks in his first three at-bats.<\/p>\n The Red Sox finished 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position today, a \u00a0 from the 3-for-9 in the final game against the New York Yankees<\/a>. The Red Sox are also 4\u20137 since Roman Anthony<\/a><\/strong>‘s injury against the Cleveland Guardians<\/a> on September 2.<\/p>\n This is the second time in three weeks that Weissert has blown a lead in the sixth inning right after relieving a left-hander making their home debut. This also technically counts as a blown save for Weissert, which gives him an AL worst nine blown saves.<\/p>\n The Red Sox have lost four of their last five, and really cannot afford to do this while their playoff spot is still at stake.<\/p>\n The Red Sox will look to rebound in the next two games against the Athletics, before facing AL East for Toronto Blue Jays<\/a>. The Red Sox need to perform better if they want to make a playoff push.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nRed Sox Vs. Athletics Game Summary<\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Red Sox<\/h2>\n
Offense Came to Life<\/h3>\n
Story\u2019s Stolen Base Streak<\/h3>\n
Refsnyder\u2019s Moneyball Performance<\/h3>\n
What Went Wrong for the Red Sox<\/h2>\n
Anemic Offense<\/h3>\n
Early’s Performance Wasted<\/h3>\n
Not the Time to Struggle<\/h3>\n
Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\n